The Tiger Cave Temple, or Wat Tham Seua as the Thais call it, is well worth a visit even if religion isn’t something you’re into. The Tiger Temple is a magnificent place and is the most sacred place in Krabi province with 250 monks and nuns living inside the compound.
The temple got its name due to the huge tiger claw shaped lime stone rock close to the temple entrance. The site is a microcosm of Krabi’s former natural environment. There is a tree wrapped in sacred cloth that may well have the largest root base of any remaining tree in Thailand. The temple is built into huge limestone karsts and surrounded by caves that lead deep inside the mountain.
If you’re feeling up for the challenge there are 1,327 steps leading to the top of the mountain where you will find big Buddhist statues covered in gold leaf along with some of the most spectacular views of the national park that surrounds the temple. Sunsets are another beautiful scene from the top of the mountain, especially on full moons where you can see the sun setting over what looks to be a fiery Andaman sea in the west as the golden moon rises over the Krabi lowlands in the east.
Archeologists have found remnants of ancient habitations from as far back as the Stone Age. Stone tools, shards of pottery and beads and idols of clay have all been unearthed. All these bear testimony to the cultural heritage of the area.
Although there is no dress code to enter the temple, please show some respect to the Buddhist culture and cover up as much as possible.
Tiger Temple tours can be booked outside of Gillhams Fishing Resorts as a group tour with other tourist, but we recommend hiring a private car so you can spend as much time as you want at the temple while your driver waits for you to return.
